Category Archives: Industry Insights

Listen in as Scott Harvey, PE, Vice President of M2E discusses engineering company & employee best practices with Frank Bennardo PE, CEO of Engineering Express Just before and 2 months after the COVID19 Virus shuts down the economy. The two radically different perspectives illustrate the swift & drastic shifts in company beliefs and our industries.…

Tour the eye-popping glazing work installed by Vigilante Associates at the iconic Hard Rock Guitar at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood Florida as David Vigilante, owner of Vigilante Associates walks the project with Frank Bennardo. Learn about the incredible glass installed and the connection with David’s fascination with (really) expensive wine, along with a…

LEGO LESSONS FROM ENGINEERING FIRM CEO By Frank Bennardo, PE January 7, 2020 PART 1: THE SETUP It began when I walked by the newly opened LEGO® store at the local mall (it actually started when I was 5, but we’ll get back to that). A cool new LEGO® crane model in the…

Press Release November 19, 2019 Engineering Express announced the opening of a premier office suite at VentureX in Miami, FL’s Doral Business District which will strengthen the company’s partnerships with manufacturers, contractors and installers who need certified permit-ready engineering plans – FAST. This expansion positions Engineering Express with the ability to assist high-demand areas with a ‘personal touch’. …

Innovative Firm Delivers Disruptive Technology To An Age-Old Profession Download this article If you’re in the construction or design industry you know the drill. You have a quick design need. You email your engineer and wait. Then you call and wait. Then you get an answer, and a bill for their time. You have so…

Engineering Express has created systems and tools to provide on-demand engineering, achieving what no other building component design firm has, 0-second engineering. We received a US Trademark for the term to make it official and unique on our latest marketing material. How We Earned The Term “The Fastest Engineering On The Planet” This is accomplished…

Go on site to a 12 story building and learn how rooms inside buildings are fireproofed – I mean fire stopped. Special Guest Brian Campbell of Low Country Firestop takes us on a tour of work as it’s being installed. It’s an enlightening and entertaining afternoon. https://media.blubrry.com/deconstructingthis/p/www.engineeringexpress.com/files/podcasts/Deconstructing_This_Episode_2-1_Fire_Stop.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: Apple Podcasts…

Watch this complimentary on-demand webinar as presenter Frank Bennardo PE tells an engaging story of how building product approvals became what they are – and where they are going in this fast-paced, on-demand, digital work world. Explore how the inevitable digital revolution has made its way into the aging charts and tables of Product Evaluations…

Aligner Therapy – Virtually Invisible Orthodontic Tooth Movement. Take a journey from the beginnings of Orthodontics to sexy Invisalign retail experiences in malls across America with special guest Dr. Barry Matza. Understand the history, science, and future of this age-old profession and how it is relating to the modern world. https://media.blubrry.com/deconstructingthis/p/www.engineeringexpress.com/files/podcasts/Aligner-Therapy-Deconstructing-This-1-6.mp3Podcast: Play in new…

Relax and enjoy the scenic journey through the Hamptons with special Guest and established year round Hamptonite Steven Schiller. This view of the Hamptons is unlike any other and sure to entertain and inform. Link to more about the Third Hook Windmill in East Hampton https://media.blubrry.com/deconstructingthis/p/www.engineeringexpress.com/files/podcasts/The-Hamptons-Deconstructing-This-Episode-5.mp3Podcast: Play in new window |…

Venture with Frank and friends as we deconstruct Mardi Gras 2018. Ride along in a parade float, take a Mardi Gras stroll down Bourbon Street, and experience the adventure through the eyes of friends Jeff and Amanda in this thrilling, action packed episode! As mentioned in the podcast, here are the special visuals to…

Engineering Express has designed and approved both freestanding and host-attached pergola mechanical louvered awnings for Mitjavila’s Horizon series. Code compliant in most of the US including Florida, these certified master plans allow the permitting and construction of awnings using engineered design tables to select loading and spans for your design condition. Approved for installation without…

Explore the making of and highlights from the Two Dollar Bill Documentary in this engaging and fun episode of Deconstructing This. Host Frank Bennardo interviews his brother John Bennardo on his journey into the fascination with this unique bill and how the movie came to be. Learn more about the $2 bill Documentary at www.2dollarbillmovie.com…

Expert Storm Damage Engineer Storm Scorecard – How did my damage predictions do? I lived through Irma on the east coast of Florida. I watched the warnings, the preparation, and the events as they unfolded. Wind gusts in my area of Boca Raton approached 90mph. I had long predicted what +-90mph winds…

I hear these silly things people say all the time about hurricanes. From conversations in line at the grocery store to people telling me how they believe they will be safe in the next storm. They are flat out wrong, and here’s why: 1. I’m safe since my windows are not facing east a. Just…

Our hearts go out to those affected by the storms of 2017 (including some of our employees). We are dedicated and on a mission to help rebuild what was damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Engineering Express® is here to help with rapid engineering designs for a variety of fences, gates, access control arms, and…

Product Approvals for building components are the general rule in Florida. Building officials, architects, insurance companies, even homeowners ask for them all the time, frequently refusing permits, insurance discounts, and product installations. So what is the legal ruling on when and if product approvals are required for this product? The Florida Building Code requires only…

With the arrival of the 6th Edition Florida Building Code (2017) January 1, 2018, the industry will need to adopt the 2015 Aluminum Design Manual (ADM) in Florida which is referenced by the new code. The 2010 Aluminum Design Manual was referenced in the 2014 Florida Building Code. Engineering Express® has been thoroughly researching how…

What could very well be the largest impact glass size to go for a product approval is in the test lab now and performing extremely well. Andrew Piedra, Engineering Express’s Glass & Glazing Department Manager has been closely monitoring the testing of this colossal 8′-0″ wide by 16′-6″ tall X 3 panel test unit undergo extensive…

I often tell the tale of the companies that use the ‘small engineer’. I can tell the story because I used to be that engineer. That’s me in the photo in the early 2000’s in my ‘small engineer’ room when things were very different in our industry and we ‘small engineers’ ruled the ‘small project’ engineering world…

Engineering Express® again grows their pre-engineered master plan service by adding (8) commonly requested plans to Amazon Prime®. The products will sell for the same price as they do in the Engineering Express Online Plan Store and includes free 2 day shipping for Amazon Prime® members. Find them all by clicking here. The firm has developed…

Engineering Express® automates sale of commonly needed engineering plans Engineering Express®, pioneers in utilizing technology to improve the consulting engineering experience, have developed over 100 pre-engineered plans over the years and use innovative methods for their distribution. Their latest achievement boasts selling these plans on Amazom.com, the world’s largest Internet-based reseller. Based in Florida and…

Crawford-Tracy has been selected to complete the glazing work for two of the new Brightline Train Stations that are going to be built in and connect Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando. West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale are the stations they will be providing the glazing work for and both are…

Hurricanes are one of the most destructive acts of nature that can cause massive damage to properties and can result in serious injuries and even loss of lives. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 with the peak occurring between mid-August and late…

DANGER: Hurricanes Will Strike in South Florida Hurricane season in Florida should not be taken lightly. More storms hit Florida than any other state in the United States. Since the mid-1800s, only 18 hurricane seasons have gone by without a single storm impacting the state. A grand total of about 10,000 people have been killed…

Engineering Express already provides next generation structural engineering services for ‪#‎Lowes‬ who just installed their first ‪#‎Holoroom‬ in South Florida near our corporate office. Engineering Express is hard at work integrating our engineering technology into systems like the Holoroom. It won’t be long before you design your next room using the Holoroom where the structural…

We’ve gotten word that one of our esteemed projects, 999 Brickell Avenue in Miami, FL, was given final approval by the builder and owner. This multi-story addition features prominent glazing/curtainwall as well as steel-framed EIFS envelope cladding. Our design team, lead by Troy Bishop, P.E., G.C. and Andre Lopes, successfully completed the exterior envelope design with…

Richard Neet, E.I. Presenting his presentation of an overview of the Florida Statewide Product Approval System and the Miami Dade NOA Product Approval System Filmed on location in the Engineering Express Media Room

Since early 2011, numerous code officials and professionals have been hard at work developing the next edition of the Florida Building Code – the Florida Building Code Fifth Edition (2014) – scheduled for public release this summer and activated as law by the end of the year. The upcoming changes to the codes and regulations were developed,…

Engineering Express® is very busy these days with Product Approval work for the many upcoming building code changes. We are experts and are ready to put our years of experience to work for you. How do your products fare? We can make them better, guaranteed. This is a big year for building code changes across…

With a dynamic and extremely talented team like we have at Engineering Express…the sky’s the limit with our success. Each project that we design is special in its own way from the first sketch all the way to the final installation. Working with big-name companies allows us the opportunity to provide services like never…

On 3/11/14, Engineering Express’ Andrew Piedra and Zachary Rubin, E.I. visited the Construction Research Laboratory curtainwall testing facility. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, they are the world’s first curtainwall test facility as well as the largest, capable of accommodating more than 30 wall mock-ups simultaneously. Since 1955, Construction Research Lab has tested over 3,500 full-size curtainwalls and…

We just got word that one of our favorite projects, 999 Brickell Avenue in Miami, FL, was just given final approval by the builder and owner. This multi-story addition features prominent glazing/curtainwall as well as steel-framed EIFS envelope cladding. Our design team, lead by Troy Bishop, P.E., G.C. and Andre Lopes, successfully completed the exterior…

Since early 2011, numerous code officials and professionals have been hard at work developing the next edition of the Florida Building Code – the 2013 Florida Building Code – scheduled for public release this summer and activated as law by the end of the year. The upcoming changes to the codes and regulations were developed, amended, administered…

WIND ZONE 4 DECISION BY FLORIDA BUILDING COMMISSION 2-05-13 The IHPA and concerned member companies were successful in getting the Florida Building Commission to approve the IHPA sponsored change to the ASTM definition of Wind Zone 4. The Commission by a unanimous vote (18-0), supported the change overturning the Structural TAC recommendation. The Commission approval…

As work slowly progresses to damaged areas of the New Jersey Shore, Engineering Express maintains a close eye on the recovery, helping where we are most needed. A recent trip to the Bay Head-Seaside Heights areas showed glimpses of what the future holds for damaged areas Jersey Shore. A project in Delray Beach, Florida on…

Public Announcement 11/21/13: The Wall of Wind™ at Florida International University in Miami is a valuable tool for the research community and the University has just announced they are now also working with clients in the private industry, providing previously unachievable wind testing opportunities for innovative ideas and new products. Watch this video to learn more: The 12-fan Wall…

Today, the final draft report titled “Technical Investigation of the May 22, 2011, Tornado in Joplin, Missouri” was released for public comment. This is the final report of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation conducted under the National Construction Safety Team Act. This report describes the wind field of the tornado and…

When we were hired by www.retractableawnings.com for a retractable patio cover system that was to be installed on a high-profile building, on a rooftop in Alexandria, Virginia, we were thrilled! Retractableawnings.com is known worldwide for their attention to detail and we knew the job would be a real treat to work on with them. We…

Yesterday we visited our newest job, the 401 Atlantic Avenue building in Delray Beach. This building was also known as the old Mercer Wenzel building and has been standing for over 70 years! This project has been under way for some time with us and is finally in process. Below are a few pictures of…

NEW YORK (AP) — Candles and flashlights will light up the shore along the East Coast as survivors of Superstorm Sandy pay their respects to what was lost when the storm roared ashore one year ago. To mark Tuesday’s anniversary, residents of coastal neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey that suffered some of the…

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